Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Neurology for August 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Helmets May Not Protect Skiers From Traumatic Brain Injury
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The use of helmets may not protect alpine sports participants from traumatic brain injury, according to a study recently published in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine.
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Risk of Depression Up in Autism Spectrum Disorder
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with increased risk of depression in young adulthood, according to a study published online Aug. 31 in JAMA Network Open.
Ibudilast Appears to Slow Brain Atrophy Progression in MS
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, slower progression of brain atrophy was seen with ibudilast versus placebo, according to a phase 2 trial published in the Aug. 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Medical Bills in Collections Decrease With Patient Age
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical collections decrease substantially with age, possibly because of increased health insurance coverage and incomes, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Vascular Risk Factors for Brain Calcification in Seniors Identified
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Diabetes and smoking are vascular risk factors associated with hippocampal calcification in older patients with memory issues, according to a study published in the September issue of Radiology.
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In Stroke Survivors, Cost-Related Non-Adherence Down After ACA
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among adult survivors of stroke, health insurance coverage increased and cost-related non-adherence (CRN) decreased after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to research published online Aug. 27 in JAMA Neurology.
No Meaningful Increase in Physician Compensation Last Year
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There was no meaningful increase in physician compensation in 2017, and a decline in productivity was noted, according to the results of a survey conducted by AMGA Consulting.
Press Release
Survey (subscription or payment may be required)
Marketplace Premiums Increase More With Monopolist Insurers
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Affordable Care Act Marketplace premiums increase more in areas with monopolist insurers, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Medical Practices Should Address Negative Online Reviews
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical practice staff can effectively handle negative online reviews by staying calm and positive, looking for solutions, apologizing, and thanking the reviewers, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Artificial Intelligence Holds Promise in Medicine
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care offers opportunities for early detection and triage, diagnostics and personalized medicine, and medical decision-making, according to an article published in Managed Healthcare Executive.
Cardiovascular Health Tied to Brain Function in Younger Adults
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Having a greater number of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors at recommended levels is associated with higher cerebral vessel density and caliber, higher cerebral blood flow, and fewer white matter hyperintensities among young adults without clinical evidence of cerebrovascular disease, according to a study published in the Aug. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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Retinal Abnormalities May Indicate Preclinical Alzheimer’s
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Retinal microvascular abnormalities are identified in cognitively healthy individuals who have biomarkers positive for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to a study published online Aug. 23 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
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Alcohol Is Leading Risk Factor for Global Disease Burden
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Globally, alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden, according to research published online Aug. 23 in The Lancet.
Physicians Lack Knowledge About Serogroup MenB Vaccination
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — U.S. pediatricians and family physicians (FPs) have considerable knowledge gaps regarding serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccination, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Pediatrics.
Experts Address Loss of the National Guideline Clearinghouse
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The demise of the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) in July 2018 is likely to impact evidence-based health care around the world, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Sensor Array May Detect De Novo Parkinson’s Disease in Breath
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A sensor array has the potential to identify de novo Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values, according to a research letter published online July 10 in ACS Chemical Neuroscience.
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Most Research Participants Not Concerned About Data Sharing
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Few participants in clinical trials have strong concerns about the risks of data sharing, according to a special article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
AMA Adopts Policy Promoting Health Equity As a Goal
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy that sets health equity as a goal for the U.S. health care system, according to a report published in the organization’s AMA Wire.
Cardiovascular Health Tied to Dementia Risk in Older Adults
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, increased numbers of optimal cardiovascular health metrics are associated with reduced risk of dementia, according to a study published in the Aug. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Living in Deprived Area Is Risk Factor for Cognitive Dysfunction
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Area-level deprivation is an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in older adults, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Breastfeeding Linked to Lower Risk of Stroke Post-Menopause
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of stroke among older women, with a stronger correlation for longer duration of breastfeeding, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Frailty in Middle-Aged With Multimorbidity Tied to Mortality
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For middle-aged individuals with multimorbidity, frailty is significantly associated with mortality, according to a study published in the July issue of The Lancet Public Health.
Most Surgical Residents Want Financial Education
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Surgical residents feel strongly that personal financial education should be offered during medical training, according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Small Practices Also at Risk for Data Breaches
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Data breaches can happen to small medical practices, but staff can take steps to prevent them, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Nivolumab + Ipilimumab Shows Efficacy for Untreated Brain Mets
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with melanoma and untreated brain metastases, nivolumab combined with ipilimumab shows clinically meaningful efficacy, according to a study published in the Aug. 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Strategy Outlined for Shooter Incident in Health Care Facility
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adhering to a “secure, preserve, fight” strategy is recommended for health care professionals working with a vulnerable patient population, according to a Medicine and Society piece published in the Aug. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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National Provider Identifiers Are Vulnerable to Theft
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) are vulnerable to identity theft, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Advantages for HDHP Enrollees in Large Versus Small Firms
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Workers in small firms are more likely to have higher deductible levels and lack employer contributions to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses compared to workers in larger firms, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Similar Outcomes for Rural, Urban Cancer Patients in SWOG Trials
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Rural and urban cancer patients with uniform care access through participation in a SWOG (formerly the Southwest Oncology Group) treatment trial have similar outcomes, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Network Open.
Doctors Often Not Discussing Risk Factors With Patients
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients report that doctors are routinely not discussing known risk factors for common causes of death, according to a survey conducted by ImagineMD.
Pennsylvania Case Could Affect Evidence for Malpractice Defense
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could affect what evidence physicians may present in defense during medical malpractice suits, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
NYU Becomes First Medical School to Cover All Tuition
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The NYU School of Medicine has announced that it is offering full-tuition scholarships to all current and future students in its M.D. degree program, regardless of need or merit.
Odds of Death Up With Exposure to Pregabalin, Opioids
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Concomitant exposure to pregabalin and opioids is associated with increased odds of opioid-related death, according to a research letter published online Aug. 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Experts Offer Tips for Provider Appeal of Denied Medical Claims
MONDAY, Aug.20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Knowing payer policies and regulatory requirements is critical to appealing denials, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Cognitive Disability Most Prevalent Type in Young Adults
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cognitive disability is the most prevalent disability type among young adults, while middle-aged and older adults have the highest prevalence of mobility disability, according to a report published in the Aug. 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Comments Open on End of NIH Review for Gene Therapy Studies
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments. Instead, the panel will assume an advisory role, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will assess gene therapy experiments and products as it does with other treatments and drugs. The proposed change will take effect after a public comment period which runs through Oct. 16.
AP News Article
NIH Statement
Comment on Regulations
FDA Permits Marketing of Brain Stimulation Device for OCD
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A brain stimulation device to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has received approval for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
VAT Score Improves Predictive Value of MMSE for Dementia
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Administering the Visual Association Test (VAT) improves the predictive value of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score for dementia, according to a study published in a recent issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Cerebral Blood Flow Changes in Pediatric Patients With CKD
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have higher global cerebral blood flow (CBF) and regional differences in CBF, according to a study published recently in Radiology.
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Residents’ Sleep Deteriorates During Training
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — First-year residents experience worsening sleep duration and quality as well as daytime sleepiness, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Methylphenidate Good First-Choice Pediatric ADHD Drug
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Methylphenidate should be considered as a first choice for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, while amphetamines should be considered as a first choice in adults, according to a review published online Aug. 7 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Practice Names, Logos Should Be Carefully Designed
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Practice names and logos should be carefully designed to emphasize what is unique about a practice, according to a blog post published in Physicians Practice.
NIH Panel Will No Longer Review Gene Therapy Experiments
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments, according to a perspective piece published online Aug. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text
NIH Statement
Steps Provided for Discharging Patient From Practice
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Certain steps should be taken when discharging a patient for failure or inability to meet financial obligations, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Patient Portals Don’t Appear to Have Much Traction
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient portals have not taken off as expected, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Opioid Dependence More Common Before Spine Surgery
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Opioid dependence is more likely to occur in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) before surgery than afterward, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.
ACA Coverage Gains Include Workers Without Insurance
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After the expanded coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were implemented in 2014, self-employed individuals and wage earners without employer-sponsored health coverage offers had coverage gains equal to or greater than those of people not employed, according to a report published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Rate of Pediatric Emergencies in Ambulatory Practices Identified
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The rate of pediatric emergency medical services (EMS) transports from ambulatory practices is 42 per 100,000 children per year, according to a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics.
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TBI Linked to Increased Suicide Risk
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with medical contact for traumatic brain injury (TBI) have increased risk of suicide, according to a study published in the Aug. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Both Abstinence and High Alcohol Use Linked to Dementia
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Abstinence in midlife and consumption of more than 14 units of alcohol per week are associated with increased risk of dementia, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in The BMJ.
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6 Factors Related to Inclusion in Health Care Workplace ID’d
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are six broad factors that can affect inclusion within health care organizations, according to a study published online Aug. 3 in JAMA Network Open.
Four Pros to Integrating EHR, Practice Management Software
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Consolidating electronic health records and practice management software allows practices to save time and money, make fewer mistakes, and reduce the risk of privacy breaches, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Neurodevelopmental Anomalies, Birth Defects Linked to Zika ID’d
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many children of mothers with evidence of confirmed or possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy do not undergo all recommended evaluations, according to a Vital Signs report published in the Aug. 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Bariatric Surgery Lowers Microvascular Disease Risk
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Bariatric surgery is tied to lower overall incidence of microvascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a study published online Aug. 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Court Rules That U.S. Must Halt Sales of Pesticide Chlorpyrifos
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Environmental Protection Agency must remove the pesticide chlorpyrifos from sale in the United States within 60 days, a federal appeals court ordered yesterday.
AP News Article
More Information
AMA Adopts Policy on Augmented Intelligence
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy on augmented intelligence, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
AMA Adopts Policy to Advance Gender Equity in Medicine
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a new policy to study, act for, and advocate to advance gender equity in medicine, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Feeling Young May Be Reflected in Brain Structure
TUESDAY, August 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — People who feel younger than their age show fewer signs of brain aging than those who feel their age or older than their age, according to a small study published recently in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
Cyber Insurance Recommended for All Physician Practices
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The growing threat of hacking is increasing the number of physicians buying cyber insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Steps Taken to Increase Use of Electronic Tools in Medicine
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Additional codes have been approved by the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel for chronic care remote physiologic monitoring and internet consultations, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
AMA Proposes Policy Opposing Medicaid ‘Lockout’ Provisions
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new policy opposing lockout provisions that block Medicaid patients from the program for lengthy periods and instead supporting allowing patients to reapply immediately for redetermination was adopted by the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates during the AMA’s annual meeting in Chicago, according to an article published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Most Online Reviews for Spine Surgeons Are Surgeon-Dependent
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Spine surgeons are more likely to receive favorable online reviews for factors pertaining to outcomes and likeability/character and negative reviews based on ancillary staff interactions and office environment, according to a study published online July 2 in Spine.
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Fewer Cervical Spine Injuries Seen With Motorcycle Helmet Use
MONDAY, Aug. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cervical spine injuries occur less frequently among motorcycle crash victims who were wearing a helmet versus those not wearing a helmet at the time of injury, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.
Some Bacteria Now More Tolerant of Alcohol-Based Sanitizers
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Some types of bacteria are developing tolerance of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in hospitals, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Variation in Specialty Drug Coverage Across Health Plans
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in specialty drug coverage across commercial health plans, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Ultra-Early Neurological Deterioration Common in Stroke
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ultra-early neurological deterioration (U-END) occurs in one in eight ambulance-transported patients with acute cerebrovascular disease and is associated with significantly worse outcomes, according to a study published online July 23 in JAMA Neurology.
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Groups Urge CMS to Reconsider Suspending Risk Adjustment
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a letter sent to Administrator Seema Verma of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), medical organizations are urging reconsideration of the decision to suspend payments to insurers as required under the Affordable Care Act’s risk-adjustment program.
Health Affairs Announces Launch of New Three-Year Initiative
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A council on health care spending and value has been established by the journal Health Affairs.
Three Financial Metrics Can Improve Practice Performance
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — By understanding three indices and metrics, physicians can change the financial outcome of their medical practice, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
PET Imaging Can Measure Synaptic Loss From Alzheimer’s
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging can directly measure synaptic loss with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a small study published online July 16 in JAMA Neurology.
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New Short-Term Health Plans Have Large Coverage Gaps
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are large coverage gaps in short-term health plans that were approved Wednesday by the Trump administration, and are described by critics as “junk insurance.”
How Doctors Receive Feedback Is Key for Antimicrobial Programs
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Anticipation of how providers will receive feedback is important for antimicrobial stewardship programs to consider in informing educational messaging, according to a study published online June 7 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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Alcohol Exposure Via Breastmilk May Affect Infant Development
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Exposing infants to alcohol through breastfeeding may reduce their cognitive ability at age 6 to 7 years, according to a study published online July 30 in Pediatrics.
National Guideline Clearinghouse Offline Due to Funding Cuts
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) and National Quality Measures Clearinghouse (NQMC) websites were taken down on July 16 when funding for these federal databases ended, according to an announcement by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Steps Can Be Taken by Doctors to Minimize Risk of Lawsuits
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Targeted steps can be taken to minimize future risks of lawsuits, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
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